Collapsible or foldable seat for child



July 9, 1963 J. c. BIGLER, JR 3,097,016

COLLAPSIBLE OR FOLDABLE SEAT FOR CHILD Filed April 14, 1961 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 2 JAMES c. B/GLER, JR '1 BY 3 BUCKHORM CHEATHAMa 51.01%

ATTORNEYS July 9, 1963 J. c. BIGLER, JR

COLLAPSIBLE 0R FOLDABLE SEAT FOR cam Filed April 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR.

JAMES C B/GLER, JR.

BUC/(HOR/V, CHEATHAM 8 BLORE atet 3,097,016 Patented July 9, 19633,097,016 COLLAPSIBLE R FOLDABLE SEAT FOR CHILD James C. Eigler, Jr.,5555 SW. Scholls Ferry Road, Portland 1, Greg. Filed Apr. 14, 1961, Ser.No. 102,985 4 Claims. (Cl. 297-457) This invention relates to seats forhuman occupants and particularly for children, and more particularly tofoldable or collapsible seats of this type.

A main object of the invention is to provide a seat made from aone-piece blank which can be folded to a compact storage or transitcondition and unfolded and interlocked ltQ provide a sturdy seatstructure.

Another object is to provide a seat as above described in which theblank may be made of corrugated paperboard.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seat as abovedescribed which is strong enough to enable a child to stand on the seatwithout danger of collapse.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a seat as abovedescribed which, although being made of one piece, can be foldedtogether to have a peripheral size substantially less than that of theblank in its flat form and yet which folded blank has a thickness equalto only a few thicknesses of the corrugated paperboard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seat as above describedin which the corrugations run relative to the blank in a direction formaximum strength.

Other objects are to provide a seat of the type under considerationwhich can be used as a childs toilet, and also is adaptable forplacement on a standard toilet, and which can be used as a booster seatin cars, busses, movies and other places, and also as a booster seat ona conventional chair to position a child at a proper height for eatingat a standard table.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blank as having been unfolded fromits storage condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the opposite side from that shown inFIG. 1 and showing a subsequent stage of the erection of the seat;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the erected seat, taken in a direction180 degrees from that shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank in its flat condition.

Referring to the drawings, the seat blank is best shown in FIG. 4 and ismade of corrugated paperboard. The chair is so designed that the blankmay be of single strength corrugated paperboard, that is, paperboardhaving a single corrugated paper filler sandwiched between two coversheets.

The blank comprises a base panel 1 joined to a pair of seat supportpanels 103 and separated from the base panel by score lines 105. Thesescore lines are on the opposite side of the blank from the side nearestthe viewer as the parts are shown in FIG. 4 and therefore will be calledfar side score lines, whereas score lines on the side nearest the viewerin FIG. 4 will be referred to as near side score lines.

The score lines 105 taper inwardly and downwardly as the parts are shownin FIG. 4 for reasons to be presently described. The base panel 101 isof trapezoidal shape whereas the panels 103 are of rectangular shape.Each of the seat-supporting panels 103 has two tabreceiving slots 107and 109' for purposes to be presently described.

The base panel 101 is joined to a front panel 111 and separated fromsaid front panel by a far side score line.

L13. Panel 111 is joined to a pair of auxiliary seatsupporting panelsand separated therefrom by suitable far side score lines 117 which areparallel to one another. Each panel 115 has a tab-receiving slot 119 andis cut to provide a generally semicircular tab 121. As a matter of fact,the tab has a periphery that extends beyond the diameter of thesemicircle somewhat as is apparent from FIG. 4.

The front panel 111 is joined to a seat panel 131 and separatedtherefrom by double far side score lines '133. Panel 131 is joined to apair of arm panels 135 and sepa rated therefrom by near side score lines137. The arm panels 135 are not joined to the auxiliary seat-supportingpanels 115, but are entirely separated therefrom by through cut lines139. Each arm panel has double far side score lines 141 runningvertically as the parts are shown and being positioned closer to theinner edge of the panels than the outer edge. Each arm panel is cut toprovide a tab 143 and the cut is so designed as to provide a lug 145 onthe tab.

The seat panel may have an interrupted circular cut line 147 to enable acircular portion to be removed to enable the seat to be used for toiletpurposes.

The seat panel is joined to a back panel 151 and separated therefrom bya near side score line 153. The back panel is cut to provide a tab 155of generally semicircular form but somewhat greater than a semicircle.The base of the tab 155 has double score lines 157 for a purpose to bepresently described. The tabs 121 previously mentioned also have doublescore lines at the bases thereof. The back panel 151 has double scorelines 159 extending horizontally as the parts are shown in FIG. 4 andapproximately medially through the back panel.

The back panel is flanked by back reinforcing panels 161 which arejoined to the inner portions of the arm panels 135 and separated fromsaid arm panels by score lines 163. These are near side score lines. Thepanels 161 are entirely separated from the back panel 151 by through outlines 165. For convenience in description hereinafter, the left-handpanel 161 will be referred to by the reference numeral 161a and theright-hand panel will be referred to by the reference numeral 161]).

The left panel 161a is cut to provide a semicircular slot or opening171, and the right panel 161a is formed with a slot 173 for receivingthe tab 155.

For storage, the panels 161a and 16112 and 135 are folded against thenear sides of the panels 151 and 131 respectively, and the panels 115and 103 are folded against the far sides of the panels 111 and 101respectively. The resulting structure is folded along the double scorelines 133 to form a small compact package having an area equal to thatof the panels 131 and 151, and :a thickness equal to four times thethickness of the corrugated paperboard of which the blank i formed. Theresulting small package may be releasably held in its folded conditionby a paper wrapper which may bear instructions concerning the assemblyof the seat. It is contemplated that the instructions may also beprinted on the blank itself, .although it is further contemplated thatadvertising material will be placed on most of accessible areas of thechair.

When the wrapper is removed, the blank will assume the conditionapproximately shown in FIG. l. Then, the panels 111 and 101 are foldedat right angles to one another along the score line 113 while the panels151 and 131 are arranged at right angles to one another by folding alongthe score line 153. Next, the seat can be positioned to look at the backthereof as shown in FIG. 2. The panel 115 are then folded against thepanels 103 and the tabs 121 inserted through the slots 109. It ispointed out that because of the tapered score lines 105, the panels 103will be disposed inwardly of the edges of the seat panel 131 and thepanels 115 will be similarly disposed 3 by being interlocked with thepanels 103 so that these panels 103 and 115 firmly and stably supportthe seat panel.

Next, the flap 161a is folded against the lower part of the back panel151 and then the flap or panel 161b is folded against the panel 161a andthen the upper portion of the back panel is folded downwardly along thedouble score line 159 and the tab 155 inserted through the slot 173 andthe opening 171 to lock these parts in the desired positions.

Next, the seat panel may be locked in place by folding the arm panels135 about the score line 141 and inserting the tabs 143 through theupper slots 119 and 107 of the panels 115 and 103. The lugs 145 hookagainst the inner surfaces of the panels 103 to securely hold the pantsin place.

As is evident from the legend 180 in FIG. 4, the corrugations runvertically as the parts are shown in FIG. 4. With the corrugations sorunning, the seat panel 131 is extremely strong and is able to support achild whether the child is sitting on the seat panel or standing on theseat panel. In fact, an adult will be supported by the assembled seat.It is further pointed out that with the corrugations running asmentioned, the corrugations will run vertically in the auxiliaryseat-supporting panels 115 when the seat is assembled and horizontallyin the seat-supporting panel 103 when the seat is assembled. Thiscrossing of the corrugations provides an extremely strong structure.

Having described the invention in what is considered to be the preferredembodiment thereof, it is desired that it be understood that theinvention is not to be limited other than by the provisions of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible seat comprising a blank having a front panel disposedbetween and hinged to a seat panel and a base panel to assume an uprightposition relative to both,

support panels hingedly connected to said base panel for positioning inupright fashion to support the seat panel,

said base panel being of lesser width atleast at certain portionsthereof so that said support panels are disposed beneath said seatpanel,

other support panels hinged to said front panel for positioning next tothe first mentioned support panels to also lend support to said seatpanel,

a back panel hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto,

arm panels hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto and having hinged portion to extend downwardly tolie next to said support panels,

means for securing said portions to at least certain of said supportpanels,

and means for retaining said arm panels and said back panel in uprightposition.

2. A collapsible seat comprising a blank having a fnont panel disposedbetween and hinged to a seat panel and a base panel to assume an uprightposition relative to both,

support panels hingedly connected to said base panel for positioning inupright fashion to support the seat panel,

said base panel being of lesser width at least at certain portionsthereof so that said support panels are disposed beneath said seatpanel,

other support panels hinged to said front panel for positioning next tothe first mentioned support panels to also lend support to said seatpanel,

a back panel hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto,

arm panels hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto and having hinged portions to extend downwardly tolie next to said support panels,

means for securing said portions to at least certain of said supportpanels,

flap member-s hinged to said arm panels for disposition rearwardly ofthe back panel,

and means for securing said flap members together to retain said backpanel and arm panels in upright position.

3. A collapsible seat comprising a blank having a front panel disposed:between and hinged to a seat panel and a base panel to assume anupright position relative to both,

support panels hingedly connected to said base panel for positioning inupright fashion to support the seat panel,

said base panel being of lesser width at least at certain portionsthereof so that said support panels are disposed beneath said seatpanel,

other support panels hinged to said front panel for positioning next tothe first mentioned support panels to also lend support to said seatpanel,

a backpanel hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto,

arm panels hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upri ht positionwith respect thereto and having hinged portions to extend downwardly tolie next to said support panels,

means for securing said portions to at least certain of said supportpanels,

flap member hinged to said arm panels for disposition rearwardly of theback panel,

said back panel having a hinged portion for disposition next to saidflap members,

and means for securing the last mentioned hinged por-' tion and saidflap members together.

4. A collapsible seat comprising a blank having a front panel disposedbetween and hinged to a seat panel and a base panel to assume an uprightposition relative to both,

support panels hingedly connected to said base panel :for positioning inupright fashion to support the seat panel,

said base panel being tapered in a direction away from said front panelto a narrower width so that said support panels are disposed beneathsaid seat panels,

other support panels hinged to said front panel for positioning next tothe first mentioned suppont panels to also lend support to said seatpanel,

a back panel hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto,

arm panels hinged to said seat panel for assuming an upright positionwith respect thereto and having hinged portions to extend downwardly tolie next to said support panels,

means for securing said portions to at least certain of said supportpanels,

and means for retaining said arm panels and said back panel in uprightposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS450,835 Darrow Apr. 21, 1891 1,301,171 Richardson Apr. 22, 19191,499,987 Roe July 1, 1924 2,100,979 Rowe Nov. 30, 1937 2,536,990Williamson Jan. 2, 1951 2,790,252 Volland Apr. 30, 1957 2,806,514 Smith..Sept 17, 1957 2,844,295 Williams July 22, 1958 2,849,726 Vay Sept. 7,1958 2,904,105 Holden Sept. 15, 1959 2,912,702 Mackenzie Nov. 17, 19592,940,511 Gornes June 14, 1960 2,940,513 Holden June 14, 1960

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SEAT COMPRISING A BLANK HAVING A FRONT PANEL DISPOSEDBETWEEN AND HINGED TO A SEAT PANEL AND A BASE PANEL TO ASSUME AN UPRIGHTPOSITION REALTIVE TO BOTH, SUPPORT PANELS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAIDBASE PANEL FOR POSITIONING IN UPRIGHT FASHION TO SUPPORT THE SEAT PANEL,SAID BASE PANEL BEING OF LESSER WIDTH AT LEAST AT CERTAIN PORTIONSTHEREOF SO THAT SAID SUPPORT PANELS ARE DISPOSED BENEATH SAID SEATPANEL, OTHER SUPPORT PANELS HINGED TO SAID FRONT PANEL FOR POSITIONINGNEXT TO THE FIRST MENTIONED SUPPORT PANELS TO ALSO LEND SUPPORT TO SAIDSEAT PANEL, A BACK PANEL HINGED TO SAID SEAT PANEL FOR ASSUMING ANUPRIGHT POSITION WITH RESPECT THERETO, ARM PANELS HINGED TO SAID SEATPANEL FOR ASSUMING AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH RESPECT THERETO AND HAVINGHINGED PORTIONS TO EXTEND DOWNWARDLY TO LIE NEXT TO SAID SUPORT PANELS,MEANS FOR SECURING SAID PORTION TO AT LEAST CERTAIN OF SAID SUPPORTPANELS, AND MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID ARM PANELS AND SAID BACK PANEL INUPRIGHT POSITION.